Airfoil variable cambering device and method
First Claim
1. An airfoil variable cambering device for varying the camber and the outer surface curvature of an airfoil in a smooth, continuous fashion over substantially the entirety thereof which comprises:
- airfoil rib means positioned in the airfoil for giving structural support thereto,outer directed portions of the rib means approximately defining a major portion of the airfoil cross section;
airfoil outer skin means arranged over said outer directed portions of said rib means to form substantially smoothly continuous outer surfaces for the airfoil;
means connecting said skin means to said rib means;
the rib means being formed as a bendable beam divided into first and second beam members each extending substantially the length of the beam;
said beam members being positionally movable chordwise one with respect to the other so as to alter the beam contour; and
jackscrew means connecting said first and second beam members and rotatable to effect said chordwise movement of said beam members one with respect to the other;
whereby rotation of the jackscrew means causes one of said beam members to be positionally shifted relative to the other beam member to provide a smooth continuous variation in the camber of the airfoil and the curvature of its outer surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Airfoil device and method providing smooth, continuous, variation in airfoil camber and surface curvature over substantially the entire length of the device by use of a trusslike bendable beam as an airfoil rib having the airfoil skin surfaces flexibly slidable relative thereto. The beam is divided chordwise into upper and lower beam members each formed of a plurality of articulated sections. The beam members are connected by a bendable jackscrew which upon rotation causes one member to move chordwise, and its curvature to be changed, relative to the other thereby effecting deflection of the airfoil with concomitant variation in its camber and the curvatures of its outer skin surfaces.
95 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An airfoil variable cambering device for varying the camber and the outer surface curvature of an airfoil in a smooth, continuous fashion over substantially the entirety thereof which comprises:
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airfoil rib means positioned in the airfoil for giving structural support thereto, outer directed portions of the rib means approximately defining a major portion of the airfoil cross section; airfoil outer skin means arranged over said outer directed portions of said rib means to form substantially smoothly continuous outer surfaces for the airfoil; means connecting said skin means to said rib means; the rib means being formed as a bendable beam divided into first and second beam members each extending substantially the length of the beam; said beam members being positionally movable chordwise one with respect to the other so as to alter the beam contour; and jackscrew means connecting said first and second beam members and rotatable to effect said chordwise movement of said beam members one with respect to the other; whereby rotation of the jackscrew means causes one of said beam members to be positionally shifted relative to the other beam member to provide a smooth continuous variation in the camber of the airfoil and the curvature of its outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An airfoil structure having means therein for varying the camber and outer surface curvatures thereof in a smooth continuous fashion which comprises:
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airfoil rib means; airfoil outer skin means arranged thereover said rib means and said outer skin means together forming an airfoil; outer directed portions of the rib means approximately defining a substantial portion of said airfoil cross section with said skin means slidably connected over said rib means the rib means being formed as a bendable beam divided into first and second beam members each extending substantially the length of the beam; said beam members being positionally movable chordwise one with respect to the other so as to alter the beam contour; and jackscrew means connecting said first and second beam members and rotatable to effect said chordwise movement of said beam members one with respect to the other; whereby rotation of the jackscrew means causes one of said beam members to be positionally shifted relative to the other beam member to provide a smooth continuous variation in the camber of the airfoil and the curvature of its outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Method for varying the camber of an airfoil to produce smooth continuous variations in curvature both of the camber and the airfoil outer surfaces comprising:
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providing a chordwise rib means as support for an airfoil outer surface in the form of a bendable beam divided into first and second beam members extending substantially the length of the beam; each beam member having a plurality of trusslike chord segments hinged together to provide for flexure in each of said beam members and each beam member positionally shiftable generally chordwise one with respect to the other along their lengths, said first and second beam members being connected together by a flexibly rotatable jackscrew means; turning said jackscrew means, and repositioning one of said beam members generally chordwise with respect to the other beam member to alter the position and curvature of one beam member with respect to the other beam member to effect a change in beam contour; whereby the camber and exterior surface curvature of the airfoil are smoothly and continuously variable from previous to new positions and contours. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification